Sunday, February 28, 2010

If you want to know what the next few years will bring to people, read these predictions!

2009 is over so now what? The future will bring change and it's mind boggling to think of some of the longtime traditional aspects of our lives that are changing forever. Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come!

1. The Post Office: Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check: Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper: The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book: You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy.. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Landline Telephone: Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they're always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service.. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes.

6. Music: This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates simply self-destructed. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalog items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, "Before the Music Dies."

7. Television: Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing all lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The "Things" That You Own: Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider.

9. In this Virtual World, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

10. Privacy: If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7 "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And "They" will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.

Task F: Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.

If you completed five or more tasks you would win a Platinum Medal. I finished 5 and have been busy this week on the 6th Task F. I wanted to make a spreadsheet list of where my files are located with hyperlinks to various documents. These hyperlinks are similar to the hyperlinks you find on the web. Instead of linking to other websites my hyperlinks would link to files on my computer.

Thinking long term and with the need for flexibility I wanted to make ensure that my master list with hyperlinks would grow with me. If I wanted to work from my XP Desktop or my Vista Laptop and use the master list I would have issues with the paths not being the same to the files, causing the hyperlinks to break. Using the C Drive on the computer was not going to allow me flexibility. The answer was to make my WD Passport portable external hard drive my primary drive that I read and write to.

Now when you use an external the drive letter can change when you plug it in to different ports or computers. I wanted to assign my portable external the drive letter Z - for Zamora. Its also better to assign externals letters M through Z if you want to insure they stick. For a Windows XP Computer you can change the drive letter from the Disk Management console (Control Panel|Admin Tools|Computer Management|Storage|Disk Management) Right click the drive in the list at the bottom and select "change drive letter and paths" and then "change" and select the letter from the dropdown.

It's important to remember that this meant the external was only assigned the letter "Z" while using my desktop. The external will not carry an assigned Drive letter, it's only the computer that it's connected to that will. I will set up the external to be assigned the same drive letter on my Vista laptop too.

Changing the location for my primary records effected my backup arrangements. I had to make changes in my SyncBack software settings so it would automatically backup correctly. I still have three copies, my primary on the portable external and two backups, one on the desktop and the other on my WD MyBook external hard drive.

My off-site backup is with Mozy. I needed to changed what files were backup off my computer. The changes caused Mozy to backup all my files over again because they were on the Z Drive now. It took a while, but it has completed. Before the GB Games began I already had a Gold Medal in the "Backup Your Data" category. Now I've earned it all over again.

My master list creation was not completed. I've only actually played with various versions of what I might want. The GB Games have given me a good push in "Organizing My Research". I promise I will write more about my master list creation as I progress on it.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

We are excited to announce a great new resource for you to use as you teach others how to use the new FamilySearch. We have created a fully functional training version of new.familysearch.org that contains fictitious data designed specifically for training purposes. In this system, you will be able to:

This is the first version of the training system. It provides the full functionality of new FamilySearch and has a basic set of exercises. We will continue to enhance the exercises based on feedback from those using the system. We hope this will prove to be a great new training resource for you while you teach classes about the new FamilySearch. The training system is available now.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

My quest for the perfect organizing system for my genealogy continues. Today and Monday I have been testing, learning and experimenting with various things. I am trying to complete a bonus item in the "Organize Your Research" in the Winter 2010 GeneaBlogger Games.

Task F: Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.

Monday, I received an email from Gerhard Ruf, President of the Utah Valley PAF Users Group (UVPAFUG). He invited the board members to share a folder in Dropbox. That way we could stop sending all our email attachments and just look in Dropbox for the latest documents. The free account holds 2GBs. Of course, I had to read all about Dropbox and complete all the required items to gain an extra 250MB of free storage space.

I pondered on how Dropbox could help me with my personal files. Since I have been moving between my desktop and laptop computer at nights, transferring back and forth with my flashdrive, I have felt there has to be a better way. I experimented with adding my RootsMagic and Treepad files into Dropbox and using them on both computers.

Instead of having my programs read/write directly to the file in Dropbox I chose to instead put a current copy into Dropbox. Then I could retrieve the current file in Dropbox and update my hard drive copy on any computer I was using. When I was finished working on my copy on the hard drive I would copy it back into Dropbox. This way I could always find a current version in Dropbox and maintain my current file structure. It worked beautifully. I give my endorsement of the product.

Now, if I can only get my kids to use Dropbox. I could make sure they have access to my master list of files. That would ensure they would understand the importance of my various files and where they are located. This would also cover the last portion of Task F in Organizing.

Several weeks ago I filled out a survey online to see how organized I was. I think my score was about 87%. As a result of the survey I was offered a free consultation by an organizing professional. Today, I had an hour long discussion with Stephanie Calahan, founder of Calahan Solutions. It was really great to get a fresh pair of eyes to look at what I was trying to accomplish. Here are two of the things I am now going to try.

1. Start using one of my external hard drives as the master document file instead of the C drive in my computer. I would then make my C drive a backup. Why, you ask? So I can use Excel to make a spreadsheet of my files and create hyperlinks to them. Then when I move from my desktop to the laptop, or XP to Vista I don't have to worry about links breaking. I wish I had partitioned the hard drive the last time I reformatted it. Now I need to figure out how to assign a drive letter in Vista. It's going to be weird at first not saving to My Documents. If anyone has some insight into doing this, pros and cons, let me know.

2. Actually give The Paper Tiger software a try. There is a 10 day free trial to test it out. In theory it's the ultimate system I want to organizing everything I own. I just need to confirm that is true. It's expensive but the search capabilities are far superior to a spreadsheet. Stephanie gave me great examples on how she organizes all different types of things in it, not just papers. My husband could even benefit from it. I just have to find 10 days to really devote to trying out the software.

Well, it's late and it's been a long day, without a nap for me. If anyone has any advice or insights for me, please share.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

It wasn't until this past Friday that I realized that the Winter 2010 GeneaBlogger Games didn't end until next Saturday, 27th Feb. I had been beating my brains out trying to finish for this past Saturday the 20th. Needless to say, I took a break from the games for the weekend. Having a major headache also helped me make that decision.

I finally got back into the games today by working on the "Organize Your Research" category. I only had one task to complete to obtain the Platinum Medal. Today I finished Task C. I had 30 family pictures that I organized into a digital scrapbook album. I feel so lacking in the creativity area. I just don't have the knack for making things look cute and pretty. When my daughter sees my creation I am sure she will offer to redo them for me. (hint, hint)

Now, I only have one more task in this section to complete, and for me it's the hardest.

Task F: Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.

This task will also be the most satisfying for me. I have a Platinum medal already but this is for excellence. If I don't tell my family members where everything is stored they could get rid of a lot of important things when I die. This task is for the future. Who knows, maybe creating my master list will give me better insight in how to organize my files.

Volunteers who speak Portuguese or Italian are needed for new FamilySearch Indexing projects from Recife, Brazil, and Naples, Italy. In addition, new U.S. Census projects are now available for four additional states and three territories.

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects.)

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. These projects will be searchable online at pilot.familysearch.org in the near future.)

Canada—1871 Mortality Census

Mexico, Hidalgo—1930 Federal Censo

U.S., Alaska—1920 Federal Census

U.S., Indiana, Marshall County—Marriages, 1811–1959

U.S., Illinois—1910 Federal Census

U.S., Rhode Island—1905 State Census [Part 3]

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

This day seemed like the same routine as before, work, nap, GeneaBlogger Games activity and now the Winter Olympics on TV. I did have a very productive day working on labeling, and adding descriptions to my documents and photos. Yesterday I wasn't sure how I was going to process my files. After a good nights sleep, I decided on putting my scanned images into a holding file. That way I would remember to go back after the games and finish my processing them. I did around 60 in all so I covered both tasks. Here's a recap

So far I have to complete.
Task C: Organize at least 20 photos into photo albums, scrapbooks, collages, protective holders, boxes, etc.Task F: Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.

Since I have completed 4 tasks I have obtained a Diamond Medal. The highest medal, Platinum, is awarded when you have completed 5 or more tasks. My goal is to complete all 6.

I did have a reader ask for more details on how I am adding labels, metadata, descriptions, and tags, etc. to my digital photos and documents.

Now, I don't name my files exactly the way Miriam does, but after reading her articles you can develop your own method you are comfortable with. That said this method won't work forever. I discovered that when I backed up files onto CDs that the information added in the files Summary Tab did not stay. I lost them because of the difference in file format. I understand I will have the same issue when I move them over to Vista or Windows 7 also.

To truly have your photo details saved, you need to add details to the IPTC area of the file. Very few programs let you edit and view the IPTC information. My plans are to start using my Heritage Collector program to record true embedded IPTC photo information that will survive with my files. I just need to get a few questions answered before I feel comfortable transitioning from Miriam's Windows XP method of labeling and what I want for the future.

Heritage Collector also has the capability of letting you tag people in your photos and then search for them. I did play with this feature on my 20 photos and it's really simple to do. As I learn and play more with the Heritage Collector software program I will write my finding in a blog article.

We want to make you aware that four major family history conferences will all happen in one week in Salt Lake City this spring:

· National Genealogical Society 2010 Family History Conference

· Brigham Young University 2010 Conference on Computerized Family History and Genealogy

· Brigham Young University 10th Annual Family History Technology Workshop

· FamilySearch’s 2010 Developers Conference

You may find information at these conferences beneficial in helping members find their ancestors—particularly the free classes for family history consultants and workers that will be offered just before the conferences begin.

The premier event of the week is the National Genealogical Society’s annual conference. The theme for this year's NGS Conference is “Follow Your Ancestral Trail.” It will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 28–May 1, 2010.

Many free events are planned in conjunction with this week; a complete schedule is below. Of particular note for family history consultants are classes and a fireside on Tuesday, April 27. Simply bring the Free Consultant Training Pass coupon below for access to the consultant classes. There is also no cost for attending the fireside or any of the other events listed below.

Over 200 classes will be presented by industry leaders and experts from the local and national genealogical community as well as staff from FamilySearch. Products and services from genealogy companies will be showcased in an exhibit hall. There you can also meet with specialists for free personal consultations on research questions or problems.

The following free events and resources will be available for consultants in connection with this week of conferences:

Tuesday, April 27

· Consultant Training Seminar at the Conference Center Little Theater. There are two times to choose from: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

· Behind-the-scenes tour of the Family History Library (all day)

· Behind-the-scenes tour of the new Church History Library (4:00 to 6:00 p.m.)

· Consultant Fireside at the Salt Lake Tabernacle at 7:00 p.m. The speaker will be Elder Allan F. Packer of the First Quorum of the Seventy, who is one of the Executive Directors of the Family History Department.

Wednesday, April 28

· FamilySearch Open House at the FamilySearch Center in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meet and greet product managers and designers for FamilySearch’s new programs and offerings.

Wednesday, April 28–Saturday, May 1

· GenTech Hall, an exhibit displaying the latest technological innovations for family history in the same venue as NGS, is open and free to the public.

· The NGS Conference Exhibit Hall is open to the public daily 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 29

· “A Celebration of Family History” event in the Conference Center at 7:00 p.m. This evening will feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, along with wonderful guest speakers. Special reserved tickets for this event will be available for consultants. Instructions on how to request tickets will be e-mailed to you in the next few weeks.

· Hours at the Family History Library have been extended until 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday during the conference. (Closed during the Thursday celebration.)

· The BYU 2010 Conference on Computerized Family History and Genealogy will be held in Salt Lake City at the same venue as the NGS Conference on Monday, April 26, and Tuesday, April 27. For more information, visit: http://ce.byu.edu/cw/cwcompu/.

· The BYU 10th Annual Family History Technology Workshop will be on Wednesday, April 28, also in the same venue.

· The FamilySearch Developers Conference will be on Tuesday, April 27, in the same venue.

This promises to be a full week of family history learning and activities that will help you better assist the members in your ward. We hope that you will come and enjoy the conference with us. For additional information, please visit: http://familysearch.org/ngs2010.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

After taking a shorter nap yesterday, so I could have more time to participate in the Winter 2010 GeneaBlogger Games, I was dragging all day. There was no short nap for me this afternoon. Gosh you all must think all I do is sleep...and you're right!! Napping didn't leave me much time to get some tasks done for the games, before the Olympics come on at night.

I did a lot of scanning yesterday so I had plenty of digital documents to organize and label, etc. I also had some photos I scanned during Scanfest that needed the same work. I got right into my labeling then I ran into a hurdle on my first document. Once I labeled it, filed it and then added the data I now needed to put the information into my database. Otherwise my filling system was all out of sync. I am a creature of habit and things have to be done in order. I guess I'm a little OCD over organizing and recording my data.

My process of organizing and then recording the information afterwards ate up my precious time. There was transcribing to do, sources to cite, attaching media to my RootsMagic file, I think some of you can appreciate the process. Needless to say all I could accomplish in the time I had was to finish 8 documents. Now I know there is a category to "Go Back and Cite Your Sources" in the competition, but I didn't even earn a bronze medal for my efforts.

It wasn't until I stopped my work in the computer room, to transition over to my evening routine, that some solutions came to me. I could organize and label these documents into a holding file, something that I know I will late come back to later and finish. This way I would know I needed to complete certain steps with them. The other solution could be to put them in the right folders and just create a master list of what I need to finish on them. I think the holding file sounds better. I will let myself sleep on the solution and decide later.

I am seeing a pattern here with me and these Winter Geneablogger Games. I am such a creature of habit that I procrastinate doing things unless I have the time to do it right and complete. I could get so much more accomplished working on little chunks at a time. My current system doesn't have the flexiblity to do things that way though. I already have a ton of scanned photos from Scanfest that need to be just labeled at least. If I could set up a system to move them through a process that would be really handy.

I'm really starting to like the idea of a holding file. Hummmm, let me ponder on this one for a little bit.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Yesterday I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with the Winter 2010 GeneaBlogger Games, because of some newly discovered info that had me sidelined. After thinking about it I decided I will continue to work on the games, as time allows. I put my research questions, into RootsMagic To-Do List so I could remember to go back and work on it later.

I actually took a short nap this afternoon, well at least short to me, it was only an hour and a half. This meant I could spend more time working on the games before the Winter Olympics come on TV tonight. I am focusing on my strong point during the games and that is organizing. Here is a recap of the category.

Organize Your Research!

So you have plenty of research – that’s okay if you can find what you need when you need it, right? Take time to review your collection of documents and photos, both hard copy and digital, and work to organize those items for easy access.

1. Task E: I scanned a total of 62 birth, death, marriage certificates and obituaries. I was a over-achiever here but I was on a roll and the task just needed to get done.

2. Task A: After scanning I placed the documents into sheet protectors and into their appropriate binders to protect them. That should fit for completing Task A. I did inherit some of these documents from my mother after-all. I don't have any other ancestral items unorganized to count otherwise.

I could get more done if I didn't have to work, take naps and watch the Olympic games at night. I am also doing some tedious genealogy research for someone else while watching TV at night. If you're curious that means I a checking to see if LDS ordinances are done for their relatives. It's an easy project to do between commercials and not very interesting Olympic sports sections.

This has been a day of mishaps in my pursuit of excellence in the Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games. It all started when I decided I needed to take a nap first. I only wanted a short one but that didn't happen. I awoke at 5:30 p.m. to discover I was going to have to rush getting things done for the games, if I wanted to watch the Generations Projects on KBYU and then the Olympics tonight.

I could watch the Generations Project in my computer room over the internet. I don't have TV any more in there so that would require me to move to the living room and use the laptop at that point. I first tried to get KBYU to come up on the computer. My computer moans in protest. Is my son using all the bandwidth streaming videos I wonder? Well, I will just make do, so it lags, but I can listen. Then I try to bring my scanner up and my computer comes to almost a stand still.

Things are not looking good here. I think if I just reboot the computer maybe things will run better. I try my theory. I notice my mouse is frozen when it restarts. I try everything. Following cords, jiggling things around. Nothing. I keep rebooting to see if things will change. Nothing helps. I was now very worried over the state of my computer. Since I am a gold medalist in "Backup Up Your Data" I'm not worrying about what I will loose.

As I sat thinking things over I noticed how yucky my keyboard is. How long ago did I buy it? 10 plus years ago at least. Off-white shows so much dirt, maybe I should buy a black one. I am rotating the keyboard around at this point getting a good look at it. Wait a minute, what's this? I notice that my Alt key is compressed down. I jiggle it around, finally I use my trusty old nail file on it. Yes, success the key is free and moves well. I wonder if that's what causing the problems with my computer and mouse working?

I did a reboot and YES!!! My computer springs to life and I am up and running again. I see the time and I am going to miss the Ice Dancing Competition on the Olympics if I don't hurry. I forget about watching the last few minutes of the Generations Project and try to focus on scanning.

My goal was to scan the death certificates I obtained while on my visit to New York last summer. I had never really looked at them until now. There's only seven, darn I wish I had 13 more to finish off Task E in the Organize Your Research category. I have scanned many times before and this seems a piece of cake for me to execute the routine. Full color, 300 dpi, TIFF format, got it. It doesn't take long to finish scanning seven documents. Aaah, let me take a look. WHAT???? There is only one TIFF in my folder. Where did the rest go. I analysis my routine and for some reason when I am asked if I want to scan more and say yes, it writes over the previous image. I guess this feature only works when you are doing a PDF. Ok, I rescan all my documents again.

I then decide to put the original documents into sheet protectors to keep them safe. I still have to add the information from them into my database, source them, link images to my sources.... You kinda know the routine here. What a minute, let me LOOK at this info. My great-grandfather Weatherwax's death certificate gives a different name for his father than what I have. I have Andrew as the father and the death certificates gives Anthony. I remember my father's earlier research notes mention Saratoga Town Hall records giving Anthony as the father. Then a Weatherwax researcher told me it's Andrew. My census records show Andrew having a son John H, same year as mine. But I also found in the census an Anthony without a John H. Why is this name coming up on all things his death certificate? Wait a minute the birth dates don't match. I also find the death certificate has his mother's last name, something I didn't have before. I think there could be two John H. Weatherwax's living at the same time in the same are. How much of my information is messed up?

I have all this research on the Weatherwax family and my own connection to it might be false. I thought I was just documenting something that others already knew and now I find they might not be right at all. A million things come into my mind, a million plans, a million things to-do.

My participation in the games is truly in peril. I might be side-lined by some new information. I will let you know what I decide tomorrow.

Task A: Prepare a comprehensive backup plan for your digital research files and a security plan for your hard copies and photos.
Task B: Secure your hard copies and photos in waterproof containers.
Task C: Backup all your data using a flash drive, an external drive, CDs, DVDs, or an online resource
Task D: Have all your hard copies and photos scanned and secure them either in a fire-proof safe or offsite in a safety-deposit box/secure environment
Task E: All your data is backed up digitally and secured physically and you can recover from any disaster while losing only one month or less worth of research
Qualifications for “Back Up Your Data!”:

I have all my digital files backed up with Mozy and two external hard drives. This makes me a "GOLD" medal winner!!!!

Winning this medal is the outcome from many years of practice. My backup plan has evolved over the years. I have used 5 1/4" floppy disks, 3 1/2" disks, CDs, DVDs and now the current plan of external hard drives. I would try hard to remember to give family members updated copies for off-site storage, but they would never really be current. I can't afford to loose even a weeks worth of data. It wasn't until I started to use Mozy that my plan is now complete. Now if I could only get all my hard copies digitized I would be Platinum. There is room for growth, but I am happy where I stand on the medal stand.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

My Google Alerts just notified me that I was on YouTube. Lisa Louise Cooke from Genealogy Gems interviewed me at the Salt Lake City Family History Expo in 2009. I was a blogger of honor and twitter the classes I attended. I thought you might like to find out what the sound of my voice is like and see the side of my head. (I promised I tried to look at the camera but it wasn't smiling back at me.)

FamilySearch continues to make progress on indexing the 1910 and 1920 United States Censuses, with five new states released this week. In addition, new international projects are available for Germany, Spain, Jamaica, and Norway.

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Registration is now open for the 41st Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, which will be held Friday through Sunday, June 11-13, 2010, at the Marriott Los Angeles Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center in Burbank, California.

The 2010 Jamboree follows the longstanding tradition of delivering the perfect mix of lecture sessions, exhibitors, networking and social activities. This year's Jamboree offers nearly 130 quality classes conducted by the most knowledgeable and experienced genealogy speakers from the US, Canada and points beyond. The geographic focus for this year's Jamboree is North America -- Canada, Mexico, and all regions of the United States. DNA and technology will also receive special emphasis in 2010.

The exhibitors represent the leading organizations and commercial companies who provide products and services to today's genealogists and family historians, as well as local, regional, and national genealogical societies.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2010?

1. Thursday Evening Registration. Many of our attendees requested that they be allowed to pick up the syllabus and other registration materials on Thursday evening. We listened, and in 2010 we will have a Jamboree check-in period on Thursday evening. Thursday night's check-in will be for pre-registered attendees only, and no walk-in registrations will be processed until the registration desk opens Friday at noon.

2. More Seats. In response to last year's post-conference satisfaction survey, we are expanding our seating capacity by adding a pavilion that will be situated adjacent to the Convention Center. The pavilion will hold 300 seats, will be fully air conditioned, with wireless internet access. Jamboree will take over the Marriott Hotel as well as the Convention Center and hold sessions in both buildings as well as the pavilion.

3. Mini-courses. We will be running a track of hands-on computer lab workshops throughout the weekend. About 20 people per course will bring their laptops and go through hands-on workshops on using Excel, Word, blogging software, Skype, Google Earth, etc. These mini-courses are open only to paid Jamboree registrants. A special online registration for mini-course attendees will open on May 1.

4. Free Friday Forenoon sessions will ensure that in these economically challenging times, expense will not be a barrier to learning. Several concurrent sessions, each lasting three hours, include a Genealogy Librarian's boot camp, a repeat of last year's highly popular Kids' Family History Camp, and beginner and advanced beginner genealogy sessions. Registration is required to attend the Free Forenoon Friday sessions.

5. The "Small World" round table discussion has been expanded to three hours and moved to Friday morning. The session affords an excellent opportunity to network, to explore research tactics for specific geographic regions of the world, and to exchange tips and techniques on an informal basis. A complete list of round table discussion topics will be announced at a later date. There is no charge to attend the Small World session, but registration is required.

6. Ancestry Scanning. Ancestry will be bringing four high-speed scanners and scheduling free, 15-minute scanning sessions. Ancestry has provided this service at other conferences, and we are thrilled that they will be scanning documents and photos for Jamboree attendees.

As in years past, registration discounts are available for SCGS members and early-bird registrants (before May 1).

Description: This a great class if you are planning to write or compile a family history or even write a journal. Learning a few simple tips can save time, money and make this an enjoyable adventure. In the class Marlo will cover:

Description:Come join us for this 20-30 minute mini webinar on how to quickly find and fill in LDS ordinance dates. We will be using the Simple Update Mode in FamilyInsight and will answer questions as we go along.

Description:Learn to use FamilyInsight to synchronize files with thenew.familysearch.org website. We'll walk you through an actual synchronization so you can quickly start updating your records and helping others. After the presentation, there will be a short question and answer session.